Adjustable head for flashlights



Feb. 4, 1936. w. DABGIN ADJUSTABLE HEAD FOR FLASHLIGHTS Filed March 22,1955' INVENTOR wlLuAM DABGIN BY SATTORNEY Patented Feb. 4, 1936 UNITEDSTATES PATENTv OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in adjustableheads for flashlights.

The invention has for an object the construction of a flashlight headwhich is adapted to be swivelled through substantially 90 in a plane,and modifications thereof adapted to be universally swivelled.

More particularly, the invention has specific reference to a novelconstruction of the head by which the swivelling is attained, and inwhich the construction is efficient as regards the electricalconnections necessary for the illumination of the lamp thereof.

More particularly, the invention contemplates the construction of thehead in which there is a casing having a cylindrical lower portion and asemi-spherical shell top portion formed with an elongated opening on agreat circle thereof extending from the top to the side, and housing ashutter extending over said elongated opening and having a tubularopening engaging through the opening for supporting a lamp socket andthe reflector and casing therewith.

Another one of the objects of this invention resides in the novelpivoting of the shutter upon the casing, on an axis passing through thecenter of the semi-spherical shell top portion and at right angles to aplane longitudinally through said longitudinal opening.

Still further the invention proposes the provision of an insulation discadapted to be mounted transversely in the open end of the cylindricalportion and supporting elements upon which members are mounted, whichmembers support the lamp socket in its position extended through saidtubular portion.

Furthermore, the invention contemplates another form wherein there is acasing with a cylindrical portion having a closed end supporting atubular portion terminating in a hollow semisphere coactible with acomplementary hollow semi-sphere on a tubular lamp support and a novelmeans for the passage of the Wires necessary for the current of thelamp;

Still further the invention proposes several novel features upon thebody of the flashlight, one of which is the construction of the body oftelescopic parts so that the device is capable of holding a variednumber of battery cells.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device asmentioned which is simple and durable and which can be manufactured andsold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, refsaid opening II.

(Cl. 24o-10.67)

erence will be had to the following description and accompanyingdrawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel featuresof the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a device constructed according tothis invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of Fig. 1 seen looking from the righthand end, with a portion thereof broken away to disclose interior parts.

Fig. 3 isan elevational view looking in the direction of the line 3-3 ofFig. 1`

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view as though taken on theline 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view as though taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the insulation disc, the elements andthe members for supporting the socket.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a device constructed according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational View looking in the direction of theline 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the device shown in Figs. 7and 8 disclosing the interior construction. v

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational View o a portion of the body of adevice constructed according to a modification of this invention.

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of an adjustable head constructedaccording to a still further modification.

The adjustable head for a ashlight, according to this invention,comprises a casing ID having a cylindrical lower portion Il]a and asemispherical shell top portion II]b formed with an elongated opening II on a great circle extending from the top thereof to one side. Ashutter I2 is arranged within the casing I0 for extending across Saidelongated opening, and has a tubular portion I2a engaging through theelongated opening. This shutter I2 is pivotally mounted upon the casingI0 on an axis passing through the center of the said semi-sphericalportion and at right angles to a plane longitudinally through Moreparticularly, side arms I2b project from' the sides of the shutter I2and terminate on the axis stated. Screws I3 pass through the side armsupon said axis, and through the casing I0 to the exterior. i

Wing nuts I4 are engaged upon the screws I3 and may be clamped tight forthe purpose of holding the shutter I2 in various pivotally flxedpositions. In place of the screw and wing nut arrangement, any othermeans of tightening may be used such as rivets, eyelets, etc.

An insulation disc I5 is mounted transversely in the open end of thecylindrical portion I8 of the casing and supports elements I6 and I1which extend upwards to the axis previously mentioned. A lamp socket I8is mountedthrough the tubular portion I2. embers I9 and 20 pivotallyconnect with the ends of\the ele ents I6 and I1 at the axis previouslymentioned nd connect with the lamp socket to support the lamp socket insuch a manner that an electric circuit exists for the illumination ofthe lamp.

A reilector 2| is mounted within a reiiector casing 22 which is engagedupon the tubular portion I2. Thisreiiector support casing is providedwith a removable end 23 which is provided with a lens 24. vThe casing 22may pivot to various positions from the position shown in full lines inFig. l1 to the dot and dash line position.

An annular contact ring 24 is attached upon the side of the insulationdisc I5. A central contact 25 is mounted through the center of theinsulation disc I5. The element I6 is connected by a rivet 26 with theannular contact ring 24.

' The central contact 25 is in the form of a, rivet and connects withthe end of the element I1 so as to hold the element in an uprightposition. The elements I6 and I1 are connected with the members I9 and20 by pivot rivets, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The member 20 connectswith the end contact I8 of the socket I8. The member I9 connects withthe shell contact of the socket I8. A removable lamp 21 is mountedwithin the g socket I 8.

ltubular body 3|. This tubular The construction is such that an electriccircuit exists from the central contact of the lamp socket I8, throughthe lamp 21, to the shell contact of the socket, and hence to the ringcontact 26. The disc I6 rests against a restraining ring 28 -xed withinthe cylindrical portion I Ila so as to limit its insertion to thecorrected position so that the pivots of the elements I6 and I1 with themembers I9 and 20 are upon the axis previously deiined. The disc I5 isheld against any possible rotation by reason of a key 29 xedlongitudinally within the casing portion Il)a and engaging in a key slotformed in the disc I5.

The lower end of the cylindrical portion |01 is formed with threads 30by which it may be threadedly engaged upon the upper end of a body hasan open bottom end into which a small tubular body 32 telescopicallyengages. A clamping screw 33 mounted upon one of the bodies engages theother for holding the bodies in iixed positions.

A plurality of cells 34 are stacked one upon the other in series withinthe bodies 3|, 32. A spring 35 within the bottom of the body 32 engagesthe bottom cell of a series of the cells so that the central contact ofthe uppermost cell is forced against an element (not shown on thedrawing) of a switch 36 connected with the central contact 25. Thespring 35 furthermore serves to ground the container portions of thebattery cells. The container portions of the cells are grounded eitherby being in intimate contact with the walls of the bodies 3|, 32 or bymeans of leaf springs (not shown on the drawing) mounted upon the wallsand in engagement therewith.

The electric switch 36 is mounted upon the tubular body 3| and isadapted to control the connection between the central contact 25 and thecentral contact of the uppermost cell. Theconstruction and operation ofthe switch will not be given in detail in this specification sincesimilar switches are Well known, and the construction forms no part ofthis invention.

In Figs. 7-9 inclusive a modiiied form of the invention has beendisclosed in which there is.

a casing having a cylindrical portion 40 with a closed end 4I from whicha tubular portion 42 projects- This tubular portion terminates in ahollow semi-sphere 43 adapted to coact with a hollow semi-sphere 44 uponthe end of a tubular portion 45. 'I'he contacting edges of thesemispheres 43 and 44 are serrated so that the parts may maintainnumerous rotatively adjusted positions. A stud 46 from one of thesemi-spheres is adapted to pass through an opening in the othersemi-sphere and supports a wing nut 41 by which the parts may be lockedin adjusted positions. The tubular member 45 connects with a reflectorcasing 45 in which a reilector, lens, removable socket 48, and lamp 49is mounted.

An insulation disc 56 is adapted to be forced transversely into thecylindrical portion 40 and maintains its position.v An annular contactring 5I is mounted upon the outer face of the disc 50. A central contact52 is mounted through the disc 50. The annular ring 5I connects with alead 53 adapted to connect with one contact of the socket 4B, and a.lead 54' connects with the central contact 52 and is adapted to connectwith the other contact of the socket. The leads 53 and 54 pass throughthe tubular portion 42 and the tube 45.

In Fig. l0 another embodiment of the invention has been disclosed inwhich a modified arrangement is shown for adjustably connecting thehandle sections 3I' and 32. More particularly, the adjacent ends areformed with threads 55 and 56 adapted to threadedly engage each other.The threads may extend up to the switch in telescopic case 3|' andthrough the entire length of handle section 32.

In Fig. ll a further modified form of the invention has been disclosedin which there is a casing consisting of a cylindrical portion 51connected with a tubular portion 58. A iiexible goose neck 59 extendsfrom the tubular portion 58 and connects with a lamp unit 68. Leads fromthe lamp unit extend through the flexible goose neck 59 and connect withcontacts upon an insulation disc yI;I mounted in the cylindrical portion51. In other respects this form of the invention is the same as in theprevious forms.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdeiined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent lsr- 1. An adjustable head for aflashlight, comprising a casing having a cylindrical lower portion and asemi-sphere shell top portion formed with an elongated opening on agreat circle extending from the top thereof to one side, a shutterwithin said casing and extending across said elongated opening andhaving a tubular portion engaging through said elongated opening, andpivotally mounted upon said casing on an axis passing through the centerof said semi-sphere and at right angles to a plane longitudinallythrough said opening, an insulation disc mounted transverse'ly in theopen end of said cylindrical portion of the casing, elements mounted onsaid disc and extending to the vicinity of said axis, a lamp socketmounted through said tubular portion, and members pivotally connectedwith said element at said axis and connected with the lamp socket tosupport the lamp socket.

2. An adjustable head for a flashlight, lcomprising a. casing having acylindrical lower portion and a semi-sphere shell top portion formedwith an elongated opening on a great circle extending from the topthereof to one side, a shutter within said casing and extending acrosssaid elongated opening and having a tubular portion engaging throughsaid elongated opening, and pivotally mounted upon said casing on anaxis passing through the center of said semi-sphere and at right anglesto a plane longitudinal through said opening, an insulation disc mountedtransversely in the open end of said cylindrical portion of the casing,elements mounted on said disc and extending to the vicinity of saidaxis, a lamp socket mounted through said tubular portion, and memberspiovtally connected with said element at said axis and connected withthe lamp socket to support the lamp socket, said shutters having sidearms extending to said axis, and clamp screws through said side arms andthrough the casing for holding the shutters in various pivotedpositions.

3. An adjustable head for a llashlight, comprising a casing having acylindrical lower portion and a semi-sphere shell top portion formedwith an elongated opening on a great circle extending from the topthereof to one side, a shutter Within said casing and extending acrosssaid elongated opening and having a tubular portion engaging throughsaid elongated opening, and pivotally mounted upon said casing on anaxis passing through the center of said semi-sphere and at right anglesto a plane longitudinal through said opening, an insulation disc mountedtransversely in the open end of said cylindrical portion of the casing,elements mounted on said disc and extending to the vicinity of saidaxis, a lamp socket mounted through said tubular portion,

members pivotally connected with said element at said axis and connectedwith the lamp socket to support the lamp socket, an annular contact ringmounted on the outer side of said insulation disc, a central contactmounted through said disc, and a circuit for the lamp socket comprisingone of said elements and one of said members connected respectivelybetween said ring and the shell of the socket, and the other of saidelements and the other of said members connected respectively with thecentral contact and with the central contact of the socket.

4. An adjustable head for a ashlight, comprising a casing having acylindrical lower portion and a semi-sphere shell top portion formedwith an elongated opening on a great circle extending from the topthereof to one side, a shutter within said casing and extending acrosssaid elongated opening and having a tubular portion engaging throughsaid elongated opening, and pivotally mounted upon said casing on anaxis passing through the center of said semi-sphere and at right anglesto a plane longitudinal 5 through said opening, an insulation discmounted transversely in the open end of said cylindrical portion of thecasing, elements mounted on said disc and extending to the vicinity oisaid axis, a lamp socket mounted through said tubular portion, andmembers pivotally connected with said element at said axis and connectedwith the lamp socket to support the lamp socket, and a body forsupporting said flashlight head comprising telescopic tubular membersand means for holding said members adjusted.

5. An adjustable head for a flashlight, comprising a casing having acylindrical lower portion and a semi-sphere shell top portion formedwith an elongated opening on a great circle extending frcm the topthereof to one side, a shutter within said casing and extending acrosssaid elongated opening and having a tubular portion engaging throughsaid elongated opening, and pivotally mounted upon said casing on anaxis pasing through the center of said semi-sphere and at right anglesto a plane longitudinal through said opening, an insulation disc mountedtransversely in the open end of said cylindrical portion of the casing,elements mounted on said disc and extending to the vicinity of saidaxis, a lamp socket mounted through said tubular portion, and memberspivotally connected with said element at said axis and connected withthe lamp socket to support the lamp socket, and a body for supportingsaid ilashlight head comprising telescopic tubular members and means forholding said members adjusted, comprising a clamp screw on one memberengaging the other.

6. An adjustable head for a ashlight, comprising a casing having acylindrical lower portion and a semi-sphere shell top portion formedwith an elongated opening on a great circle extending from the topthereof to one side, a shutter within said casing and extending acrosssaid elongated opening and having a tubular portion engaging throughsaid elongatedV opening, and pivotally mounted upon said casing on anaxis passing through. the center of said semi-sphere and at right anglesto a plane. longitudinal through said opening, an insulation discmounted transversely in the open end of said cylindrical portion of thecasing, elements mounted on said disc and extending to the vicinity ofsaid axis, al lamp socket mounted through said tubular portion andmembers pivotally connected with said element at said axis and connectedwith the lamp socket to support the lamp socket, and a body forsupporting said flashlight head comprising telescopic tubular membersand means for holding said members adjusted, comprising a threadedconnection.

WILLIAM DABGIN.

